NextSteps 2025: Open Call for dance makers
Over the past ten years, the Junior Company of Dutch National Ballet and ISH Dance Collective have shown in several successful collaborative projects how ballet and hip-hop complement and enhance each other. With the programme NextSteps, we now aim to give a new generation of creators the opportunity to explore the synergy between these two dance forms.
Are you a new dance maker with an affinity for ballet and/or hip-hop, and do you have an idea for a piece in which you further investigate the interaction between ballet and hip-hop? Then respond to this Open Call and submit your concept plan for a short choreography (10-15 minutes) for two or three dancers. This plan can be based on a theme, a working method, a form idea, or any other angle. The only requirement is that both ballet and hip-hop are represented in the choreography. Additionally, the idea should have a clear structure and should be achievable within a short period of time. If your idea is selected, the choice of music will be decided in consultation afterward. The final choreography will be performed by ballet dancers from the Junior Company and hip-hop dancers (possibly from ISH Dance Collective).
This Open Call is for new makers from all dance forms, with an affinity for ballet and/or hip-hop. By “new makers”, we mean those who are at an early stage in their career as a choreographer and have created a maximum of five choreographies in total.
The selection for NextSteps 2025 will be made by Ernst Meisner (artistic director of the Junior Company of Dutch National Ballet), Marco Gerris (artistic director of ISH Dance Collective), and a creator who has previously choreographed for the Junior Company or ISH. The selected choreographers will work with the dancers in February and March 2025 to bring their new works to life. The final choreographies will be presented on 26 and 27 March at Studio Boekman of Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam.
You can submit your concept plan until 23 November 2024, via opencall@operaballet.nl.
FAQ
How much rehearsal time will I have?
Each creator will have a total of 40 hours, spread over multiple days, to create a piece of 10-15 minutes. On 25 and 26 March, Studio Boekman (at Dutch National Opera & Ballet) will be available for technical setup and run-throughs.
What costs are covered?
- The costs for the dancers are covered by ISH Dance Collective and the Junior Company, based on the Dutch Theater and Dance Collective Agreement (CAO Toneel en Dans).
- Each choreographer will receive an honorarium for preparation, rehearsals, and presence at the performances, also based on the Dutch Theater and Dance Collective Agreement.
- A lighting design will be developed in consultation, and we will explore costume and prop options with you. Any related costs will be covered by ISH Dance Collective and the Junior Company.
- Travel expenses incurred for the execution of the project will be reimbursed based on the Dutch Theater and Dance Collective Agreement (CAO Toneel en Dans). All rehearsals and performances will take place at Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam.
Can I choose my own dancers?
The concept plan you submit should be for a piece featuring both hip-hop dancers and dancers from the Junior Company of Dutch National Ballet. The total ensemble for each piece consists of two or three dancers, including at least one ballet dancer.
For the ballet dancers: if your idea is selected, you can indicate which dancers from the Junior Company you would like to work with, and we will consider this in the casting. The final casting will be determined based on the preferences of all selected choreographers.
For the hip-hop dancers: you may suggest one or two dancers yourself, but we can also make recommendations for hip-hop dancers affiliated with ISH, if desired.
How do I submit my idea?
Please send a concept plan for your choreography by 23 November 2024, to opencall@operaballet.nl.
In your submission, briefly answer the following questions:
- What is your relationship to dance, ballet, and/or hip-hop, and why are you interested in participating in this project by the Junior Company of Dutch National Ballet / ISH Dance Collective?
- What would you like to showcase on stage? Describe the artistic core of your plan. Indicate your inspiration and how you would translate this into a choreography. Also mention whether you have already conducted preliminary research on this idea.
- What experience have you gained so far as a dancer and/or creator, and how do you see this project contributing to your personal development?
- Include your CV and up to three video links (YouTube links without a password).
Who can I contact if I have a question?
You can send any questions to Lotte Heeman: l.heeman@operaballet.nl.
